Don’t derail your fitness goals with these diet mistakes

You may think that once you’ve established a workout routine you’ve won the battle to meet your fitness goals, but you may unintentionally be eating foods that make it difficult to get the most out of the time you spend on your home treadmill. While features like the TRUE HRC Cruise Controlâ„¢ system – available on all TRUE Fitness treadmills – will help you maintain your target heart rate throughout your workout, these diet mistakes could prevent your from reaching your full potential:

Drinking flavored water
Although you may have been told that flavored water is a great way to stay hydrated while drinking something more tasty than your traditional liquid out of the tap, it is often full of sugar or artificial sweeteners that can sabotage your workout. Similarly, sports drinks should only be used if you sweat heavily or exercise for more than an hour and a half. While these drinks can certainly keep you hydrated and replace electrolytes you lost by sweating, sports drinks contain lots of sugar that you simply don’t need if you’re only running for 30 minutes. Whenever possible, reach for a simple bottle of water instead.

Not eating enough fat
Eating fat may sound like the exact opposite of what you should be doing to achieve your fitness goals, but there is such a thing as “good fats” that will shut off the hormones that make you feel hungry while simultaneously boosting your metabolic rate and helping you burn more calories. Try to include some goods fats – such as nuts, seeds and avocados – in every meal you eat. That way, you’ll have more energy and be able to give your all to your fitness regimen.

Eating hummus before your run
While hummus is absolutely healthy for you and it should be a part of your diet, try to avoid eating it right before a workout. Because it is bean-based, hummus is high in indigestible carbohydrates, which can lead to bloating and gas – not exactly desirable qualities when you’re about to hit the gym. However, hummus is high in protein, so consider changing it to a post-workout snack instead.

Focusing on protein
Protein is certainly a key part of any post-run recovery, but only eating protein-infused foods after your workout would be a huge mistake. Your diet should also include plenty of fruits and vegetables, a “good fat” source, and a serving of whole grains. Try eating some hummus with veggies and whole-grain crackers to boost your energy after a solid workout.